Getting Creative without Breaking the Bank

Tags

beauty, Beauty Headshot, Bowens, Bowens Softbox, california sunbounce, Creative Headshot, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, Expoimaging, fun, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash, Rogue Flashbenders, Sony, Sony A7II

Hi and welcome back.

Last Saturday I ran a workshop at Theia Studios in North Andover, MA, just outside Boston.

It went great!  I taught the Headshot with speed lights only.

One of the looks we did really showcases how you can get creative on a slim budget, of course, that is only after spending your inheritance to get to this point with cameras, lenses, lights, soft boxes, reflectors, etc, etc, etc…  As this IS photography after all!

But once you reach that point, you can get creative easily and without spending a lot of cash.

For this shot, I went to Dick’s Sporting Goods and purchased a roll of purple sports underwrap:

Dicks Sporting Goods

I simply wrapped the model like a Mummy and shot the look.  For about $6.00 and $20.00 for Sephora Lipstick, which the model already owned, we got a super creative look and had a bunch of fun.

Here is a straight-out-of-camera raw to jpeg proof:

Here’s how I shot it.

Key: SB910, Bowens 60 x 90 softbox with Interfit S-Mount Ring for speedlights

Reflector: California Sunbounce Micro Mini, silver side up

Back: 2 SB800’s with Large Rogue Flashbenders as flags

Then, after we set the lights and exposure and shot the look we wanted, I had Amanda, our model, have fun with her facial expressions!  She just rocked it and knocked it out of the park!

I wanted to take the traditional beauty shot on white to another level, and for only a few bucks, we shot an awesome and fun look.

Well that’s it for now.  Till next time, stay creative!!

 

 

The Upcoming November 22 Workshop at Photo Connections in Colchester, CT

Tags

40's Hollywood Glamour Workshop, CT Workshop, Expoimaging Rogue Flashbenders, Flashbenders, fun, Grid, Hollywood Glamour, OCF, OCF Workshop, Photo Connections of Colchester, Rogue, Westcott, Westcott TD6

Hi and welcome back.

This workshop is coming up quickly, so register to join in the fun soon.

On November 22, I’m heading to Photo Connections of Colchester, CT to run a speed light/constant light workshop.

Mike and Jeannette from Photo Connections have had me in before, and I’m looking forward to going back for a fun and creative lighting workshop.

Here’s the registration link: Photo Connections Creative Lighting

This is a 3 1/2 hour workshop with a small break in the middle.

Details:

Photo Connections, Colchester, CT

November 22, from 9:30-1 (it starts early!)

$59.95

Looks: 40’s Hollywood Glamour, Creative and Simple Fashion

Gear: Speedlights, Rogue Flashbenders, Westcott Spiderlight TD6’s

Here are a few look samples:

WPPI Final

Tags

Alien Skin, Expoimaging, fun, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash, Phottix, Pixellu, Redtree Albums, Valley of Fire, WPPI

Hi and welcome back.

WPPI again was amazing this year.  Despite what seemed to be low attendance numbers, the show was a success.

As a result, I’m energized and jazzed up to really get 2015 underway, especially here in the Northeast where the snow seems to be never-ending!

The highlight for me was the new Profoto B2.  if you are a Profoto shooter, this, like the B1, is a game-changer!

Profoto B2

The other highlights come in the form of software.

Alien Skin will be making it’s way into my workflow this year: Alien Skin

Pixellu album building software will be added: Pixellu

And finally, with a beautiful selection of books at great prices, Redtree Albums will become my album choice for all my jobs: Redtree (I simply love the Linen bound books)

Here are a few proofs from my last day working at WPPI.

With Expoimaging, I did the three light triangle and a 4 light shot with just grids.

Many thanks to Cassie for modeling:

 

With Phottix, I was teaching a 3 light setup and really trying to show the strip softbox and grid.  Many thanks to Daniela for modeling:

On a side note, if you ever get to Las Vegas or to WPPI, try to take a day off and make the trip to the Valley of Fire National Park or the Hoover Dam.  We visited both on Sunday and it was wonderful to see our Nation’s beauty and industry on display:

Valley of Fire:

 

Hoover Dam:

 

These two wonders are a short drive from the Las Vegas Strip and worth the trip.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, happy shooting!

Congratulations Rob and Stacy!

Tags

CT Wedding photographer, fun, Nikon, Nikon D3, Outdoor Weddings, SB910, wedding, Wedding Photography

Hi and welcome back.

I know it has been a while since I have posted, but it’s been busy.  Not only shooting but booking workshops and travel and weddings.  2014 sees me return the the wedding market.  I left in August of 2011 for a variety of reasons.  After a 3 year hiatus, I’m back shooting weddings and accepting interviews for the end of 2014 and all of 2015 and 2016.

But for today I want to congratulate Rob and Stacy on getting married!

Merry Christmas!

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, CT Pinup Photographer, fun, Merry Christmas, Photographer Boudoir, Photographer Boudoir CT, Pin Up, Pin Up High Key

Merry Christmas to all!

While running a workshop at Unique Photo, one of the models, Rania, just walked in wearing this fun and festive outfit!

Not to be left out:

Nikon D3, 50mm 1.8

Nikon SB910, Rogue XL Pro high and above as key

Nikon SB800, Rogue XL Pro low and below as kicker

Have a great holiday season!

Behind-the-Scenes with the Actor Headshot

Tags

Actor Headshot Photographer, Actor Headshots CT, CT Headshot Photographer, Fluorescent lighting, fun, headshots, Nikon, NYC LA Style Actor Headshots, Profoto

Hi and welcome back.

To get a shot like this, you need some gear:

Heres a Behind-the-Scenes shot in my studio:

We’ll start from the front and work our way back:

Sturdy tripod in the foreground

On the right is a posing mirror attached to a lightstand

Savage Tech Table with my laptop for immediate proofing and exposure adjustments

Key lights are two Lowe’s 4′ Shop Lights attached to my Avenger A420 stands

On each side of Cassie is an Impact Silver/White Reflector, silver side toward the model to bounce wrapping light around her

Background lights are 2 Profoto Acute E heads with 1×4 Creative Light Softboxes.  I use strip boxes so the light wrap and flare around the subject is kept to a minimum

I shoot this look at ISO 800, WB Daylight adjusted in post, 1/125 @ f/5.6-6.3 with my Nikon D3 and 70-200 lens.

Kino Flo lights are really the industry standard for lighting your subject this way, but 2 four bulb, four foot lamps will cost you about $3,000.00.  Not having that to spare, I found an online tutorial on how to make them yourself for about $200.00:

Joe Edelman

Or you can get these great, pre-bulit Grow Lights from HTG Supply in Orange, CT

HTG Supply

The HTG lights are pretty much ready to go out of the box and have better and consistent color temps on the bulbs than the shop lights.

That’s how I shoot the NYC/LA look actor headshot in the studio.

I love the look and the contrast and the overall feel of this lighting technique and have a ball shooting the Actor headshot.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, happy lighting.

Happy Independence Day!

Tags

fireworks, fun, Independence Day, July 4, shooting fireworks

Hi All,

Happy Independence Day.

Little known fact, the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 2, July 4 is the date it went out to the printer!

Here are a few tips on shooting fireworks this weekend:

• Get to your location early
• Use a tripod and cable release
• Base Exposure: 4 seconds @ f/8, ISO 100 or 200, WB Auto
• Get set up early to shoot.
• Wait till the first discharge of fireworks to focus and shoot and then just keep shooting till you get what you want, adjusting exposure as you go.
• I’ve found that the fireworks are so bright you should be able to focus with Auto, but you can also set your focus on the first blast and then preset the focus to that point
• Shoot during the first rounds of explosions for best results.  Multiple fireworks discharges can add a lot of smoke to your images.  Shoot right away and then wait for a spell for sky to clear
• Black card trick: Set exposure to 30 seconds and cover the lens with a black card, this allows multiple bursts of fireworks to register on just one frame
• Have Fun!!!

The motorcycle workshop is on for July 17 at Stop and Go Transmissions in Milford.  I’ll post on Friday.
Enjoy the weekend!
Bob

Sometimes It’s Natural Light

Tags

editorial food photography, Food photography, fun, natural light food photography, New Haven Living Magazine, Nikon

Hi and welcome back.

Yesterday I shot Zafra Cuban Restaurant in New Haven, CT for a local magazine.

I rolled into the job as I always do, with my camera bag, tripod, and flash bag of lightstands, umbrellas, Rogue Flashbenders, and California Sunbounce reflectors.

Well, I went right for the front window and all of this beautiful natural light to illuminate the food.  I thoroughly enjoyed not having to set up all that gear!

Here are a few shots.  Nikon D3, 60mm Micro Nikkor, all natural light.

Enjoy and till next time, happy shooting!

Mutual of Omaha Breakout Swim Clinic

Tags

Donating time, fun, Mutual of Omaha Breakout Swim Clinic, Nikon, off camera flash, Swimming

Hi and welcome back.

I was proud to donate my time last Sunday to my son’s recreation league swim team, the West Haven Wizards (When the high school season is out, he swims here to stay in shape).

The coaching team at the Wizards brought in the Mutual of Omaha Breakout Swim Clinic for the kids.  This is one of those great moments in sports when the athletes give back something to the kids.  The swim clinic consists of two Olympians who give the kids a pep talk, do a Q+A, and then get them in the water to teach them skills.

Brendan Hansen, who won Gold and Bronze in England this year, and Christine Magnuson, who won Bronze in China were on hand to not only teach the kids but let them know what it takes and means to be an Olympian.

And, as a bonus, they brought their medals with them:

They got together with the kids for a photo op, taken by me, and to have their shirts signed:

 

Then they all got into the water and Brendan and Christine gave the kids pointers on technique to give them an edge in the pool:

Last but not least, as I am a teacher of Off Camera Flash, here’s my setup for the shots with the kids:

Nikon SB910, reflective umbrella as fill against the strong window light

One of the great things about being a photographer is the people you meet.  I met two Olympians who graciously gave of themselves to help these kids learn techniques that will help them become more competitive.

Was it cool?  You Bet!!

Many thanks to Mutual of Omaha’s Breakout Swim Clinic, Brendan Hansen, Christine Magnuson, and the entire West Haven Wizards staff and team for hosting such a great and fun event for the kids.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, happy swimming!

Images from Mack Camera and the Upcoming Workshop at TF Camera

Tags

Expoimaging, fun, Mack Camera, off camera flash, Off camera flash workshop, Pockte Wizards Plus 3''s, Presentation, Rogue Flashbenders, SB910, strobist, TF Camera, Workshop

Hi and welcome back.

Last Saturday’s event at Mack Camera in Springfield, NJ was a huge success!  Missed it, then join us on September 15 at TF Camera in Vineland, NJ.

Here are a few shots from the day.

In this shot I used direct overhead flash with a Large Flashbender and diffusion panel:

In this shot I did a three speedlght high key setup with Large Flashbenders: one as the main light and two on the background with Large Flashbenders as flags:

 

In this next shot, we got really creative with the Large Flashbender.  Once you get comfortable with your gear, begin to experiment with light and subject placement:

 

Then we headed outside with a single SB910 and a Large Flashbender:

Interested in shooting like this and seeing for yourself how the Rogue Flashbenders can work for you?  Then join us at TF Camera in Vineland, NJ on September 15 for another fun day of shooting and learning OCF.

Here’s the link: TF Camera

Thanks for stopping, and till next time, happy shooting!